Homecoming in Song, Findhorn, August 15 - 20 2023

HOMECOMING IN SONG

5 days immersed in the power of music, community & stillness

Findhorn Ecovillage, August 15 - 20 2023

In this five day long musical retreat, Barbara Swetina (Findhorn) and Joachim Goerke (Germany) combine their many gifts to create a unified heart field through the magical power of music.

From listening to Joachim’s exquisite piano playing, immersing ourselves into the rich harmonies of community singing, sharing heartfelt blessings in dances from around the world or musical improvisation and ritual, together we are weaving a colorful fabric of sound, stillness, prayer and healing, building a Sacred World Culture of respect and love for all beings.

It is also unique opportunity to experience the world renowned Findhorn Ecovillage and to peek into Joachim and Barbara’s toolbox for songleaders; to practice skills like vocal improvisation, voice training, musicianship practice, song accompaniment, music theory, song creation, dances and sacred space holding etc.

Time in nature, meditation, and immersion in the transformative essence of sound lead us back to the memory of our divine origin which we are going to remember and reawaken in this unique retreat.

Barbara Swetina

Who it’s for:

If your answer is a yes to any of the following statements, this course is for you! Would you like to:

  • experience music and the voice as a path to the Divine, connecting Heaven and Earth in your heart?
  • deepen your enjoyment and understanding of music?
  • experience Findhorn and its rich singing culture?
  • get tips on how to hold local song circles / singing groups?
  • expand your musical toolbox and song repertoire?
  • anchor song, dance and stillness as a practice in your circles and communities?
Previous musical experience is welcome, but not required.

What to expect:
  • Intimate evening concerts and soundscapes co-created by Joachim and Barbara
  • New songs and dances to expand your repertoire
  • Wholistic Voice Development
  • Dances of Peace from around the World
  • Song Birthing
  • Tips for Song Circle Leaders
  • Experience of Green Zone Learning
  • Singing Rituals
  • Circle Singing
  • Instrumental/Vocal Improvisation
  • Piano Concert in the Universal Hall with Mantric Songs for listening and joining in
  • Immersion in Findhorn Community Singing Events (e.g. Taize singing)
  • Community & Celebration
Join us to experience music in a relaxed, safe and non-judgemental community setting!

Universal Hall Findhorn

Tuition Fees:

Regular price: £300
Early bird discount: (when you register before the 1st of June) £250
Sponsorship Price*: £350-500
*Sponsors will enable us to keep the course costs low and enable some bursaries. To honor their generosity, they will receive a Findhorn Song CD and signed booklet, and also a signed CD from Joachim.

Discounts & Scholarships available on tuition fees:

Youth discount (up to 25 years): £150 youth ticket
Early bird discount (when you register before the 1st of June): £125
Findhorn Community Members: £220
Early bird discount (when you register before the 1st of June): £180
Couple discount: When you sign up as a couple, each of you gets 20% off

We may be able to offer a limited number of reduced price scholarships (not 100% free) when we have enough participants and sponsorship donations. To apply for a scholarship, tell us more about yourself here.

We are also open to suggestions for creative ways on how you can support us in exchange for a reduced tuition fee, such as advertisement for the course and recruiting further participants.

Payment Plans available for tuition fee:

Option 1:
Full tuition fee paid upfront at registration
Option 2:
Deposit of £100 at registration to secure your place and the rest of the course fee paid in 2 installments.

Your Facilitators:

Barbara Swetina
Barbara Swetina is a full-blooded musician with degrees from the Music University Mozarteum, the University of Pedagogy and the ORFF Institute Salzburg. Originally from Vienna she has been a long-standing musical director in the Scottish Eco-Village Findhorn and has built up an international singing and dancing culture for peace. She plays 7 instruments, authors CD's and songbooks, writes her own songs and teaches internationally. Her love of music is contagious and can transform a group of people unknown to each other into a many-voiced choir within minutes. Through her own challenges in reading music, she developed the MusicTrain Adventure in Hawaii, a game and holistic learning system that showcases a new paradigm for teaching and learning, based on fun and play.

Barbara Swetina
 Born 1957 in Germany, Joachim Goerke began playing the piano at the age of 7. Whilst still at school he had already started a Jazz trio, then in the 80s he was involved in several Band projects with Rock Jazz and Fusion.

In 1990 he began to work with voice and founded the Choir "Clangvarben". When he met the Singer Rhiannon from the US (Member of the Circle-Tour with Bobby Mc Ferrin), he started to explore "Circlesinging", and did Tours in Germany together with Rhiannon.

Since 2000 he has created many Mantra Songs in the German language as an expression of his own spiritual path. In colaboration with the Dutch dancer Nani Kloke he produced many of them also in English language (CD Religio Reconnection).

He has also created his own Voicework, which he calls "The power of Vowels" Nowadays he is also a teacher of Meditation and Self inquiry.

Universal Hall Findhorn

Testimonials:

'Singing and dancing together, I was touched by the music, tears flowed freely from deep within my soul, I felt held and loving and kind towards myself, reconnecting to my heart in the tender atmosphere of the group.'
Ocke C, Lüneburg

“The day with Barbara and Joachim in Lüneburg filled my heart with so much joy. The songs and dances nourish the souls and create a space in which the beings encounter their own beauty and celebrate it together . I am very grateful for these enchanting experience of sounds and movements shared in Love.It was the first time Joachim and Barbara worked together in that way and I hope that more and more of these magical gatherings will enrich our beautiful lives. Thank you so much.”
Participant, Lüneburg

Food and Accommodation:
Please access our Pdf for details of the food and accommodation arrangements we can provide for.

Registration:
To register, please fill out this registration form. Once we receive your registration, we will be in touch with you asap to confirm your participation in the course and to set up the payment plan of your choice. We accept payments for the course via bank transfer and we will be able to assist you with all required details once we receive your registration.

Any questions?
For any logistical questions or any support with booking, please get in touch with our booking angel Carolin at homecominginsong@gmail.com
If you have any direct questions for Barbara or Joachim, please note this in your enquiry and Carolin will forward your email.

Open Events as part of the 5 day Song Retreat:
You can’t attend the full 5 day song retreat, but would really like to join? Then come and join one of our open events between the 18th - 20th of August! Find more details about them here.

Universal Hall Findhorn


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